'West Side Story' Ballroom ballroom dancers Celebrate Film's 50th Anniversary

The film version of "West Side Story" marked its 50th anniversary this season. The beloved screen alternation in the legendary Broadway musical won 10 Oscars in 1961, including best picture and greatest director for Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. AFI ranks it number 41 on its report on 100 finest American movies, plus it ranks 2 on AFI's finest movie musicals list. In 1997, the film was selected for upkeep inside the National Film Registry that need considering "culturally significant" with the U.S. Library of Congress. Inside the film, dance is as vital as Stephen Sondheim's lyrics and Leonard Bernstein's music. The ballroom ballroom dancers have been in the forefront, acting through Robbins' difficult, stylized, and emotional choreographythe story from the modern Romeo and Juliet torn apart by gang warfare. Hardly any is well known, however, in regards to the amazing actor-ballroom ballroom dancers who carried out the Jets as well as the Sharks. Many of them were not even listed in the film's credits.Robert Banas and Tony Mordente, who carried out the Jet gang people Joyboy and Action, had the idea to create a memoir in the "West Side" actor-ballroom ballroom dancers. "Our StoryJets & SharksThen and todayInch covers their auditions, their filming experience, and the way the film affected their lives and careers. It had been released this season to mark the film's half-century celebration, as will be a three-disc Blu-ray DVD.Back Stage sitting lower with a few of the "gang people," who shared their recollections of concentrating on a film landmark. Round the Impact of Dance in "West Side Story" Nobuko Miyamoto, also called Joanne Miya (Francisca, a Shark girl): In my opinion the main one factor that distinguishes "West Side Story," in my opinion, is the fact the ballroom ballroom dancers were such an essential part in the film. In every single film that we had ever done, ballroom ballroom dancers were usually without anyone's understanding. In this particular situation, whether or not this wasn't for your dance as well as the music, there wouldn't be a "West Side Story." The dance pressed the story. There's no dead in time a little of music. The building of it absolutely was a masterpiece. It incorporated effort as well as the finest in the businessBernstein, Robbins, Sondheim, [Arthur] Laurents [author in the original book in the musical].Gina Trikonis (Graziella, a Jet girl): The dance moves the story along. What's not mentioned in dialogue is mentioned with this particular physiques. "Awesome," in my opinion, is certainly a complete masterful little bit of choreographythe best little bit of choreography I've come across on filmbecause it's drama that's expressed using the body, which is exactly what helps it be so wonderful and intense. That was part of Jerry's genius. Also, he gained everyone write a backstory regarding character. I was not only ballroom ballroom dancers i had been stars that been amazing ballroom ballroom dancers. Once we were on set, i was not only background "fluff." I had been figures, which we introduced that backstory around in each and every step, every snap, everything. There's not really a wasted movement because movement. Nothing. Everything counts to date because the choreography.Carole D'Andrea (Velma, a Jet girl): I used to be inside the original Broadway production too, in addition to then, to acquire us into character, Jerry would scream at us, "Stop dancing and walk!" We wanted to constantly learn how to walk. The males especially. "What is happening? You're dancing. Walk! You're a juvenile you aren't a real dancer." On Getting Cast Russ Tamblyn (Lick, the best option in the Jets): I truly auditioned for negligence Tony. Never imagined in the million years of playing Lick. I'd the identical agent as Robert WisePhil Gersh. Therefore I felt like I'd an in. Certainly doesn't aid you in getting an element, because Bob and Jerry composed their particular minds. However would call Phil each night and say, "Phil, where's it now?" I finally have the call, which according to him, "Well, boy, could it be necessary some news to suit your needs. You didn't get negligence Tony." Damn. You understand? "Nonetheless they offered the role of Lick." Which I mentioned, "Lick?!" However I didn't determine whether I really could handle the dancing. Then he mentioned, "Well, they switched the 'Cool' number as well as the 'Krupke' number. So you'd do 'Krupke.' " It worked out fantastically. Made total sense.D'Andrea: They examined me for Maria eventually, before they cast Natalie [Wood]. They provided the lines, put a black hairpiece on me, the whole factor. I still remember visiting the studio, which used to do the whole scene, which could it have been, tomorrow. I never discovered it. They never mentioned anything. I must are actually atrocious. Miyamoto: Becoming an Asian-American, I didn't think I'd an chance whatsoever. I'd labored for Jerome Robbins really round the film "The King which i.Inch I used to be in [the ballet number] "The Small House of Uncle Thomas." Within the finish in the shoot, he spoken of a new musical he was concentrating on referred to as "East Side Story." It had been referred to as "Gangway," before he changed it to "West Side Story." I saw the show, as well as I used to be crying. It absolutely was just amazing. I auditioned to become Broadway alternative, however was contracted in "Flower Drum Song," therefore i couldn't take action. Once I visited the film auditions in L.A. I believed, "This is often a film. They will not use me in this particular, searching the means by that we really do.Inch Nonetheless they did the screen test, and so they put plenty of dark makeup on me, and in some manner I passed for Puerto Rican. That was a genuine large factor personally. I used to be competed in ballet and many types of these [versions], however hadn't done anything where I carried out anything aside from an Asian. Personally, it absolutely was a sizable deal to become Puerto Rican.Maria Henley (Teresita, a Shark girl): In my opinion the only real Puerto Ricans were Yvonne Wilder, who carried out Consuelo, and Rita [Moreno]. I used to be Mexican-American Susie Kaye, who carried out Rosalia, was Jewish but it's just really kind of interesting the way you all combined.D'Andrea: In my opinion Jerry were built with a watch for your exact combination of acting abilityintensityand I realize within the Broadway auditions, he was trying to find a couple of who could do everything.Henley: I believed I used to be cast because of my technique until day one I saw Jerry make an entrance at testing. A light ongoing. There's a goal and reason for everyone who had been there. It absolutely was regarding your character. On Jerome Robbins Getting Fired Within the Film D'Andrea: ninety nine percent around the world does not understand that Jerry was let use the middle of filming "West Side Story." Every dancer I've ever met, they'll go, "What?" Bert Michaels (Snowboy, area of the Jets): It absolutely was a Friday. Howard [Jeffrey, the dance assistant] didn't like how you i did so our class, nevertheless the Jets had got through doing "Awesome," as well as the bruises were breaking on our knees every time we plid. The next factor everyone knows, Jerry comes storming in and increases for them people and states, "Due to the fact there is a little film you does not necessarily mean you can't be released. Anybody could be transformed." Then, Monday morning once we were practicing the pharmacy sequence, at lunch Russ Tamblyn referred to as us over and mentioned, "Jerry was absolutely right anybody could be transformed, which he was." Most of us were enjoy, "What?!" I'm speaking about, you can't replace God. Exactly what are you talking about? That was an incredible moment. I had been all standing there, which i was in shock. But i had been in shock for your relaxation of occasions. D'Andrea: It absolutely was his baby. How will you remove him? Still, to this day, it's like, what?Tamblyn: My understanding was that whenever they made a decision to own co-direction between Jerry and Bob Wise, inside the contract it mentioned whether it didn't exercise after three several days or something like that like this such as this, they'd an option to permit Jerry go. Jerry spent lots of time [filming], going overboard on takes, and so they were drained of money. And nobody understood simply how much the film will make, clearly. Most of us got just like a couple of slow days we thought we may not necessarily complete the film. I am unsure all the problems, but that's basically exactly what it was. Trikonis: "West Side Story" was Jerry's last film. It absolutely was absolutely devastating for him [being fired]. You have to hear [executive producer] Walter Mirisch discuss how he's one which told him. Walter mentioned Jerry wouldn't consult with him again and was totally devastated and came back to ballet.Round the Power of Utilized by Robbins Trikonis: Once we were shooting "Awesome," no matter exactly what the shot or position was, we wanted to do the entire dance immediately every single time. To obtain the emotional juices going. In my opinion that's one reason it's so effective. Henley: From the it needed two and a half days to shoot "America." We finally first first got it inside the can, after which it a couple of days later we heard he preferred to reshoot the whole factor again from another position. Robert Banas (Joyboy, area of the Jets): If Jerry didn't like the way you i did so ballet barre inside a testing, you're gone. It kind of put somewhat fear into you. You really required to focus on doing all your technique which makes it worth him, otherwise you have been out.Trikonis: He always was kind of intimidating because way. This is one way he saved us on our toes, as they made us appear like every type of us may be transformed immediately if he found someone who he loved better.Tamblyn: Remember once we did that dance number, dancing lower the street inside the summer season? It's like 110 levels, which we managed to get happen over and over, dancing lower the whole block, getting upset and jumping and jumping until Bob Wise finally mentioned, "Okay, that was good." Then Jerry mentioned, "Yeah, Allow me to do another though. But I would like anything you Jets to make it happen alternatively ft." Bear in mind that, Bert? Alternatively ft. Michaels: In my opinion that labored, because I am unsure whether or not this was conscious on Jerry's part, but merely the entire terror. I am unsure just what the relaxation people felt, but merely the entire numb terror that individuals would carry out the other footthat's what he got onscreen, which is exactly what he wanted.Banas: It absolutely was somewhat trying and hard, however had labored with Jerry two occasions before, which i understood what his demands were. Nevertheless it opened up up entrance doors for several us it did personally. I am certain the majority of us accomplished good results due to it. On In the first Broadway Show D'Andrea: I'll remember opening evening. Ten every morning, Jerry calls a celebration using the ballroom ballroom dancers and everybody and states, "Okay, this can be what's gonna happen: Professionals are usually prone to kill us tonight because I'm trying a thing that they will probably say should have happened uptown at NY City Ballet, so it does not belong on Broadway initially, or we're can make history tonight." After which it he went, "I decided all of you." Plus it was like, you should f--king appear. I'll remember that. I buy chills thinking about that. We understood the thing that was at risk. Reactions From Fellow Ballroom ballroom dancers as well as the Public Trikonis: When ballroom ballroom dancers I meet uncover I used to be Graziella, I've had several youthful ballroom ballroom dancers appear and let me know, "I increased to become dancer because of you, because I saw you in 'West Side Story.' " That's awesome. I am unable to inform you the amount of youthful people happen to be inspired with this particular movie.Henley: Once we did the 40th anniversary up at Radio City, there must have been 5000 folks everyone else. There has been people there who had the first Broadway program! I like hearing how a film changed people lives, because the Broadway show changed my existence. I'd never observed anything appreciate it, which i mentioned, "That's what I'd like associated with my existence." To do the film and people are touched with the movie, it's awesome. Never imagined this movie might be as great since it is.Michaels: My boy recently mentioned in my opinion, "The amount of an incredible component that everybody did and the way wonderful. It's like there was a time still. You're the identical now fifty years later when you were in individuals days.Inch It is a lesson being learned. And i'm so grateful.